WO2002034195A9 - Comutateur fluidique a reponse par l'arriere avec recuperation de pression amelioree - Google Patents
Comutateur fluidique a reponse par l'arriere avec recuperation de pression amelioreeInfo
- Publication number
- WO2002034195A9 WO2002034195A9 PCT/US2001/027777 US0127777W WO0234195A9 WO 2002034195 A9 WO2002034195 A9 WO 2002034195A9 US 0127777 W US0127777 W US 0127777W WO 0234195 A9 WO0234195 A9 WO 0234195A9
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- power nozzle
- diverging
- fluid
- flow passages
- backload
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
- F15C—FLUID-CIRCUIT ELEMENTS PREDOMINANTLY USED FOR COMPUTING OR CONTROL PURPOSES
- F15C1/00—Circuit elements having no moving parts
- F15C1/22—Oscillators
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H9/00—Pneumatic or hydraulic massage
- A61H9/005—Pneumatic massage
- A61H9/0078—Pneumatic massage with intermittent or alternately inflated bladders or cuffs
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
- Y10T137/206—Flow affected by fluid contact, energy field or coanda effect [e.g., pure fluid device or system]
- Y10T137/2076—Utilizing diverse fluids
Definitions
- the present invention relates to fluidic pulse generator devices, particularly a backload-responsive fluidic switch having high pressure recovery, and still more particularly to a backload-responsive fluidic switch having high pressure recovery for driving flexible bladders and massaging apparatus.
- a fluidic switch having a relatively high pressure recovery is constituted by a power nozzle, projecting a jet of fluid towards a splitter, the splitter defining a pair of receiver channels or diverging flow paths.
- the diverging flow paths from the splitter have a common connection with the power nozzle and have respective bounding walls. Each respective bounding wall diverging from the centerline through the power nozzle no more than about 50°.
- the splitter defines respective inner walls of the diverging channels or flow paths, with the splitter being spaced a distance of about 3W (W being the width of the power nozzle) from the power nozzle. At least one vent is connected to one of the fluid flow passages.
- an inflatable bladder is connected to one of the diverging fluid flow passages and a vent is connected to the other fluid flow passages.
- the jet of fluid forms a first coanda attachment bubble on the bounding wall leading to the inflatable bladder, thereby increasing the pressure in the bladder and strengthening the coanda attachment bubble.
- the first coanda attachment bubble forces the jet to the switch to the opposite output passage.
- the jet is switched to an output leg with its own attachment bubble and a vent. Entrainment in the output leg starts to lower the pressure in the bag enough for the jet to switch back to the output channel having the bladder attached to it and the cycle repeats.
- the jet is biased to the output with the bladder attached.
- a two-bag or bladder version is disclosed.
- the fluidic switch has relatively high pressure recovery (more than 50%) and is constituted by a power nozzle projecting a jet of fluid towards a splitter with the splitter defining a pair of receiver channels.
- a pair of attachment walls are provided adjacent the power nozzle and a pair of vents is provided adjacent the attachment walls, one vent for each of the respective output channels of the fluidic . switch.
- switching of the jet of fluid back and forth between the receiver channels is caused when the backload in each receiver channel overcomes the wall attachment at its associated attachment wall.
- the operation is similar to the one-bag version except in the one-bag version the biased start-up conditions is provided.
- the invention features a backload-responsive fluidic switch having high pressure recovery of more than 50% comprising a body member having a power nozzle having a width W and a centerline CL, said power nozzle being adapted to be coupled to a source of fluid under pressure for issuing a jet of fluid along said centerline, a pair of diverging fluid flow passages having a common connection with the power nozzle and respective bounding walls, each respective bounding wall diverging from the power nozzle centerline no more than about 50°, and a splitter defining respective inner walls of said pair of diverging walls, said splitter being spaced a distance of about 3W from said throat.
- An inflatable bladder is connected to one of the diverging fluid flow passages, and a vent connected to the other of the fluid flow passages.
- the backload-responsive fluidic switch defined above further features a pair of inflatable bladders, one connected to each of the diverging flow passages, respectively, and, wherein there is a vent connected to each of the fluid flow passages downstream of said power nozzle, the bounding wall portions between said power nozzle and each vent constituting coanda attachment walls, respectively.
- the power nozzle centerline is offset or structurally biased relative to the one of said diverging fluid flow passages to which said inflatable bladder is connected.
- the vent(s) is connected to the flow passage(s) a selected distance (beyond the coanda bubble, but as close to the bubble as possible, to achieve high pressure recovery) from the power nozzle and the portion of the bounding wall from the power nozzle to said vent constitutes a coanda attachment wall.
- the jet of fluid forms a first coanda attachment bubble on one of the bounding walls leading to an inflatable bladder thereby increasing the pressure in the bladder and strengthening the first coanda attachment bubble, and after the fluid pressure in the bladder reaches a selected level, said attachment bubble begins to get pressurized and the jet is forced to the other of said diverging fluid flow passages.
- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of the upper receiver portion of a normal fluidic crossover switching element
- Figure 2A, 2B and 2C are diagrammatic illustrations of a one-bladder system which can be configured for inflation performance on one side and the venting on the other side,
- Figure 3 is a graph of time versus pressure showing the inflation and deflation cycle
- Figure 4A is a plan view of the silhouette of a preferred embodiment of the single bladder-type device
- Figure 4B is a table showing the dimensions of the unit shown in Figure 4A,
- Figure 4C is a graph showing inflation and deflation cycle
- Figures 4D, 4E, 4F and 4G are diagrammatic illustrations of the operation of a single-sided backload fluidic switch ' incorporating the invention
- Figure 5A is an isometric view of a double bladder device incorporating the invention
- Figure 5B is a plan view thereof
- Figures 5C-5F are diagrammatic illustrations of the operation thereof
- Figure 6 is a graph of time versus pressure showing the inflation and deflation cycles of the two bladder devices .
- the one-bladder version preferably has a bias of the power nozzle relative to the leg to which the one bladder is connected.
- the devices are molded in plastic "chips" (as in Figure 5A) . They can also be made of metal, sintered materials, etc.
- the power nozzle 10 is biased to the leg 11 containing bladder 12 and leg 13 is vented to atmosphere.
- the jet emanating from the power nozzle 10 instantaneously divides between the bladder and the vented receivers at startup and is biased as noted earlier to the leg 11 to the bladder 12.
- the coanda bubble CB on the bladder side has no opportunity to satisfy its entrainment needs (so it can stably form) since there is no connection to the ambient.
- the coanda bubble CBV on the vented side has ample chance to entrain from the ambient via the vent. The result is the jet attaches to the receiver wall on the bladder side and detaches from the receiver on the vented side.
- the bladder fills (and the jet entrains some from the vented side) as shown in Figure 2B until the bladder pressure ' rises to a point that the attachment is no longer supported and a jet switches to the vented side.
- the venting continues with the entrainment from the bladder side to aid in deflating the bladder until the differential pressure favors again attachment to the bladder side.
- the pressure in the bladder verses time such that the inflation/deflation cycle shown in Figure 3 comprises a fast inflation and a slow deflation. This is more desirable for massaging purposes. In the case of medical cuffs, it is a requirement to have the inflation fast and deflation last for a longer time. This gives the tissue sufficient time to "bounce back.”
- ⁇ Pv is the vent diameter.
- Lw u is the width of the vent channel.
- Pvv is the width of the power nozzle.
- S is the distance from the power nozzle to the splitter.
- X is the angle the coanda attachment wall, vent side, makes the centerline of the power nozzle.
- ⁇ is the angle the bounding wall of the vent channel mates with the centerline of the power nozzle.
- Y is the angle between the walls of the vent channel.
- Vw is the width of opening of the vent channel.
- Sv_. is the length of the side vent channel.
- ⁇ Sv is the diameter of the side vent SV.
- Lw is the distance between the splitter and the attachment wall.
- _ is the length of the vent channel.
- the power nozzle is structurally biased relative to the output 02 to which the inflatable bladder is coupled or attached as shown at startup.
- the coanda bubble is beginning to form and that there is some entrainment E from the vent side.
- the inflatable bladder or bag is connected. to the output leg 02 and is beginning to fill up and the pressure is increasing in the bag or bladder. It also shows that the attachment bubble is intensifying.
- the pressure in the bag or inflatable bladder is now at a point sufficient enough to cause some spill from the auxiliary vent SV.
- the attachment bubble begins to get pressurized and the jet is switched to output main vent leg 01 with its own attachment bubble, and entrainment and output leg 02 starts to lower the pressure in the bag enough for the jet to switch back to the leg 02 and the cycle repeats.
- the vents provide for optimum operation.
- the addition and location of the vents basically doubles the pressure recovery. It is possible to achieve up to 80% pressure recovery and even greater.
- the disclosed units are achieving 65% pressure recovery. Since the fluidic device is always pulling air to create the massaging effect, pressure recovery is very important to minimize energy usage by the system.
- each leg is vented.
- the fluidic switch shown in Figures 5A - 5F it will be noted that it is comprised of a power nozzle PN issuing a jet of fluid (preferably air).
- a splitter 40 having a spacing of preferably about 3W (W being the width of the power nozzle, 0.020" in the disclosed embodiment) and a wall angle ⁇ (roughly 40° in this embodiment) .
- the supply channel leading to the power nozzle PNB is shaped to minimize pressure losses upstream of the power nozzle.
- Vents VI and V2 are located such that it maximizes pressure recovery. In the embodiment shown, the pressure recovery was measured to be about 65%. Prior art devices typically recovered 20% of the supply pressure. To achieve high pressure recovery the vents Sv ( Figure 4A) and VI and V2 ( Figure 5B) are connected to their respective flow passages at a point beyond the coanda bubble, but as close to the bubble as possible.
- High pressure recoveries cited above allow the device to fully inflate the bladders or cells, a difficulty encountered by prior art devices, while at the same time allow economic operation at lower supply pressures.
- the diverging output channels 16 and 18 result in the downstream end of the vent opening being offset from the .upstream end, a geometrical feature that helps in the switching and the deflation of the bags.
- the size of the vents assists in controlling the deflation cycle and also the peak pressure attained in the inflation cycle.
- Prior art flip-flop type switches required feedback passages to communicate the backload signal to the power jet to cause the switching.
- the feedback passages also required restrictions to improve the pressure gain of the device, said restrictions resulting in potential manufacturing and operational problems.
- the fluidic switch of the present invention overcomes this difficulty by eliminating the need for a control passage to effect switching.
- the splitter 40 defines the receiver passages 16, 18 to the different
- bladder manifolds 13, 17 and each receiver passage 16, 18 is vented 44, 45 to atmosphere by venting passages VI, V2.
- FIG. 5C the jet of air is issued through the power nozzle PN and, in the state illustrated, the jet of air is directed into receiver passage 18 and due to the coanda bubble and wall attachment effect attaches to attachment wall Al with the coanda bubble Bl shown as drawing air from the power jet flowing through receiver passage 18.
- Entrainment from receiver 16 is indicated by arrow 50.
- the receiver passage 18 is connected to the manifold 17 which is connected to fill bladders 12.
- a weaker coanda or attachment bubble is shown on the nonfilled side to receiver 16 and attachment wall A2.
- the wall angle ⁇ is about 40° and the splitter distance SI is about 0.067", the length of the attachment walls is about 3W or .060", and the power nozzle W is about .020".
- the backload overcomes the wall attachment on wall Al (the coanda attachment) and the flow in the output channel or receiver 18 is partially diverted to the vent VI ( Figure 5D) and the rest into left channel 16 which then fills bladders 11 via manifold 13.
- the coanda bubble is formed at the attachment wall A2 in the left channel or receiver
- the air in bladder 12 exhausts through the vent VI.
- the bladders 11 are shown as being filled by the jet of air and shows the entrainment of air from the receiver channel 18.
- the backloading pressure in receiver channel 16 overcomes the attachment at wall A2 and causes the reverse procedure to take place.
- the present application takes full advantage of the backload to overcome the wall attachment and cause switching in a simpler fashion.
- the fluidic switch as disclosed herein is more robust and allows for a simpler more reliable switching system in that it eliminates the feedback passages as required by the system shown in Jones Patent No. 3,390,674. While the- invention has been described in relation to preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated that other embodiments, adaptations and modifications of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
- Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Epidemiology (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Massaging Devices (AREA)
- Switches Operated By Changes In Physical Conditions (AREA)
- Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)
Abstract
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2002212961A AU2002212961A1 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2001-10-22 | Backload fluidic switch with improved pressure recovery |
JP2002537249A JP2005503180A (ja) | 2000-10-20 | 2001-10-22 | 圧力回復率が改良された後方負荷型流体スイッチ |
EP01981307A EP1326569A4 (fr) | 2000-10-20 | 2001-10-22 | Comutateur fluidique a reponse par l'arriere avec recuperation de pression amelioree |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US24179100P | 2000-10-20 | 2000-10-20 | |
US60/241,791 | 2000-10-20 | ||
US09/982,085 US6767331B2 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2001-10-19 | Backload fluidic switch with improved pressure recovery |
US09/982,085 | 2001-10-19 |
Publications (4)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2002034195A1 WO2002034195A1 (fr) | 2002-05-02 |
WO2002034195B1 WO2002034195B1 (fr) | 2002-09-06 |
WO2002034195A8 WO2002034195A8 (fr) | 2003-06-19 |
WO2002034195A9 true WO2002034195A9 (fr) | 2003-07-10 |
Family
ID=26934575
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2001/027777 WO2002034195A1 (fr) | 2000-10-20 | 2001-10-22 | Comutateur fluidique a reponse par l'arriere avec recuperation de pression amelioree |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6767331B2 (fr) |
EP (1) | EP1326569A4 (fr) |
JP (1) | JP2005503180A (fr) |
CN (1) | CN1201712C (fr) |
AU (1) | AU2002212961A1 (fr) |
WO (1) | WO2002034195A1 (fr) |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8770229B2 (en) * | 2010-05-13 | 2014-07-08 | Bowles Fluidics Corporation | Fluid stream powered pulse generating fluidic oscillator |
US9765491B2 (en) | 2013-04-03 | 2017-09-19 | Dlhbowles, Inc. | Method and fluidic apparatus for generating pulsed and oscillating air flow for surface cleaning and sweeping |
CA3036552A1 (fr) | 2016-09-13 | 2018-03-22 | Spectrum Brands, Inc. | Moteur de pomme de douche a pot de turbulence |
US11883358B2 (en) | 2018-03-05 | 2024-01-30 | Leggett & Platt Canada Co. | Pneumatic massage system |
US11432995B2 (en) | 2018-08-29 | 2022-09-06 | Leggett & Platt Canada Co. | Pneumatic massage |
US11039975B2 (en) | 2018-08-29 | 2021-06-22 | Leggett & Platt Canada Co. | Pneumatic massage |
Family Cites Families (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3191860A (en) * | 1963-01-30 | 1965-06-29 | Sperry Rand Corp | Fluid logic control |
US3390674A (en) * | 1965-05-28 | 1968-07-02 | Bowles Eng Corp | Inflatable mattress with fluid amplifier |
US3587568A (en) * | 1965-09-20 | 1971-06-28 | Westinghouse Electric Corp | Inflatable mattress apparatus |
US3563259A (en) * | 1968-03-15 | 1971-02-16 | Bowles Eng Corp | Fluidic liquid level sensor |
US3623497A (en) | 1969-12-08 | 1971-11-30 | Johnson Service Co | Fluidic switch |
US3734116A (en) * | 1971-09-01 | 1973-05-22 | Us Army | Back pressure sensitive switch for a flueric device |
US3811431A (en) | 1973-01-17 | 1974-05-21 | M Apstein | Programmed venous assist pump |
US3896794A (en) | 1973-12-14 | 1975-07-29 | British Oxygen Co Ltd | Venous flow stimulator |
US4258753A (en) * | 1979-05-18 | 1981-03-31 | Avco Everett Research Laboratory, Inc. | Fluidic switch |
US4278110A (en) | 1979-11-13 | 1981-07-14 | Price Ernest H | Demand responsive flow controller |
US5606754A (en) * | 1989-03-09 | 1997-03-04 | Ssi Medical Services, Inc. | Vibratory patient support system |
US5109832A (en) | 1990-12-07 | 1992-05-05 | Proctor Richard D J | Method of and apparatus for producing alternating pressure in a therapeutic device |
US5197461A (en) * | 1991-08-12 | 1993-03-30 | University Of Utah Research Foundation | Power adjustable orthopedic pillow |
US5701622A (en) | 1996-01-16 | 1997-12-30 | Sentech Medical Systems, Inc. | Pulsating operating table cushion |
US6240945B1 (en) | 1999-06-17 | 2001-06-05 | Bowles Fluidics Corporation | Method and apparatus for yawing the sprays issued from fluidic oscillators |
US6572570B1 (en) * | 2000-03-27 | 2003-06-03 | Bowles Fluidics Corporation | Massaging seat for hot tubs, spas, jacuzzis, swimming pools and ordinary bathtubs |
-
2001
- 2001-10-19 US US09/982,085 patent/US6767331B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-10-22 JP JP2002537249A patent/JP2005503180A/ja active Pending
- 2001-10-22 AU AU2002212961A patent/AU2002212961A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-10-22 EP EP01981307A patent/EP1326569A4/fr not_active Withdrawn
- 2001-10-22 WO PCT/US2001/027777 patent/WO2002034195A1/fr active Search and Examination
- 2001-10-22 CN CNB018177360A patent/CN1201712C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN1471383A (zh) | 2004-01-28 |
JP2005503180A (ja) | 2005-02-03 |
US6767331B2 (en) | 2004-07-27 |
EP1326569A4 (fr) | 2007-01-03 |
AU2002212961A1 (en) | 2002-05-06 |
CN1201712C (zh) | 2005-05-18 |
WO2002034195A1 (fr) | 2002-05-02 |
EP1326569A1 (fr) | 2003-07-16 |
US20020052567A1 (en) | 2002-05-02 |
WO2002034195B1 (fr) | 2002-09-06 |
WO2002034195A8 (fr) | 2003-06-19 |
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